The long-awaited Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Sri Lanka and Italy officially comes into effect from April, providing a permanent solution to the driving license issue faced by Sri Lankans living in Italy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath announced.

In a statement, Minister Herath said that the agreement, signed after a sustained diplomatic effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Highways, has completed all technical requirements for practical implementation.

Under the new arrangement, Sri Lankan residents in Italy who have lived there for six years will be eligible to convert their national driving licence into an Italian licence without sitting for written or practical tests.

Minister Herath further said the facility has been warmly welcomed by the large Sri Lankan expatriate community in Italy, noting that it will significantly improve employment opportunities and strengthen their contribution as a productive diaspora. (Newswire)

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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome has announced that applications for the conversion of driving licences under the Bilateral Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Italy and Sri Lanka will be accepted starting April 10, 2026.

In a notice, the Embassy said that the Consular Section will dedicate April 10 and April 15, 2026, exclusively to receiving driving licence conversion applications due to the expected high demand.

On these dates, all other consular services will be restricted to emergency cases only, it added. 

The Embassy has requested the public’s cooperation and understanding, stressing that the temporary adjustment is necessary to efficiently manage the anticipated surge in applications. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says legal action will not be initiated for traffic violations involving individuals with expired driving licences between 25 November 2025 to 25 December 2025.

Issuing a statement, the Police said it has been observed that, owing to the prevailing adverse weather and natural disaster situation in Sri Lanka, many drivers have been unable to renew their driving licences on time, resulting in difficulties in continuing their driving activities.

Accordingly, the Department of Motor Traffic has decided to grant a special concessionary period for the renewal of expired driving licences.

As per the circular issued, from 25 November 2025 to 25 December 2025, drivers whose licences have expired will be allowed to continue driving without being considered in violation of traffic regulations. 

This concessionary period has been officially announced by the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic.

Therefore, during the above-mentioned concessionary period, no legal action will be taken against individuals driving with expired licences, provided they renew their licenses within the stipulated timeframe. 

The IGP has instructed all Police stations to act accordingly taking into consideration the current situation in the country. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says the shortage of driving licence cards will be resolved by 18th October.

Addressing Parliament today, Minister Rathnayake acknowledged a shortage and crisis related to driving licences. 

“The same group has been involved in the driving licence business for nearly 28 years without the knowledge of the Motor Traffic Department. Financial misuse and corruption have taken place on a large scale due to this. Even former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa tried to resolve this using the military, and it still didn’t work out. As such, we intervened by halting this and introducing a new system,” he said. 

Briefing the Parliament on the measures taken by the government, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the installation of Driving licence printing machines has been underway since yesterday.

He further revealed that the government is currently in possession of 800,000 driving licence cards and expects to start distribution from 18th October. 

The Transport Minister further said that the government intends to order another 01 million cards prior to the existing cards finishing. 

Minister Rathnayake added that the new stock of cards will be printed by the government through the Motor Traffic Department, which he said allows the government to save Rs. 167 per card during printing. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says the renewal of driver’s licences is being carried out by the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda within 08 minutes. 

Minister Rathnayake said light vehicle licences must be renewed every 08 years and heavy vehicle licences every 04 years.

“People seeking to renew their licences had to visit the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda, but the institution did not possess the fingerprint system, which was only available at the Department of Motor Traffic. However, now the public can obtain their medical certificate, record their fingerprint, make the necessary payment to renew their licence and obtain their temporary licence, all at the institute in Nugegoda. This takes only 07 minutes and 47 seconds,” the minister said.   

Minister Bimal Rathnayake made the remarks at the launch of the issuance of temporary driver’s licences at the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda. (Newswire)

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Temporary driver’s licences will be issued through the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda, effective today (30), as part of a pilot initiative.

According to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), if no changes are required to the existing licence, applicants may obtain their temporary licence directly from the Institute without visiting the Werahera Motor Traffic Office.

The Department further clarified that applicants for temporary licences are no longer required to appear in person at the Werahera office. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says plans are underway to issue new number plates with more advanced security features.

Minister Rathnayake further said that the new number plates will be issued by 15 November 2025. 

“We accept there are vehicles operating without number plates now. We are looking at issuing new number plates with advanced security features. We hope to introduce a temporary solution by next week. But the issue of number plates will be resolved by 15th November,” he said. 

Minister Bimal Rathnayake made the remarks while responding to a question raised by opposition MP Mujibur Rahman in Parliament today.  

Responding to a question on the delay in issuing driving licences due to a lack of licence cards, Minister Rathnayake said the backlog has been resolved.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake said a backlog of 900,000 driving licences was resolved by April this year.

He further said that plans are underway to issue driving licences with new features and that they will be distributed in the future. (Newswire)

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Foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka will now be able to obtain a temporary driving licence, the Sri Lanka Police announced. 

Police Spokesman F.U. Wootler said that tourists with an international driving licence, along with their country’s driving licence, will be permitted to drive any vehicle in Sri Lanka. 

Addressing the media, he further said that those arriving in Sri Lanka only with their country’s driving licence will also be allowed to obtain a temporary driving licence in Sri Lanka.

He said foreign tourists can obtain a temporary driving licence from the Department of Motor Traffic Office in Werahera, which is a 30-minute drive from Colombo.

“Special counters have been set up at the office for foreign tourists, where they can collect their temporary driving licence. Foreign tourists must produce their country’s driving licence to obtain the temporary driving licence in Sri Lanka,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman, however, warned tourists to refrain from driving vehicles in Sri Lanka without the necessary driving licence or international driving licence. 

He also revealed that the government was in the process of introducing facilities at international airports in Sri Lanka to enable tourists to obtain their temporary driving licences upon their arrival. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has decided to issue temporary driver’s licences to foreign visitors at the Katunayake airport upon arrival, it is reported.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Newswire that the ministry has decided to set up a dedicated counter at the Katunayake Airport for this purpose.

The ministry intends to officially launch the new procedure with effect from 03 August this year.

Per the existing regulations, foreign tourists are required to obtain a temporary driver’s licence from the Motor Traffic Department office in Werahera.

According to Minister Rathnayake, the new move aims to streamline the process and improve convenience for tourists. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has clarified that licences for drivers of public transportation will be given until the age of 65 if the applicant is deemed medically fit.

Addressing the Parliament yesterday, Minister Rathnayake said that the Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic has briefed him on an old law which is currently in practice.

The Transport Minister said that as per the law, licences for public transportation will be given to persons between 23 and 65 years of age if the applicant is deemed medically fit.

“Those deemed medically fit between the said ages will receive a passenger transport licence, which is a separate licence,” he explained. 

He further said that after age 65, individuals are given only private vehicle licences and not public passenger transportation. 

Minister Rathnayake assured drivers aged 60 would not face any issues with public transportation licences. 

The Minister clarified after questions were raised concerning an advertisement by a state institution notifying that public transport licences will not be provided to those aged 60. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport has announced plans to clear the backlog of 130,000 driving licenses by January 2025.

The process is to be carried out by streamlining operations through an online system, as part of the government’s aim to modernise services with advanced technology.

The plan was announced by Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Kumara Gunasena and Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

The duo revealed these measures during an inspection of the Department of Motor Traffic in Werahera. (Newswire)

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The proposal to expedite the introduction of a digital driver’s licence to replace the current system has received Cabinet approval.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told the media today the current system will prevail until the introduction of the new system, which is used the world over.

He further said that the new digital driving licence will align with modern technology and improve data exchange between institutions.

Minister Jayatissa added that this initiative will replace the current smart card-based licence system, which has been in use for nearly 15 years. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) reports over three thousand driving licences have been temporarily cancelled by the courts so far this year. 

DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said a total of 3,249 licences have been temporarily suspended from January till now.

He further said that the driving licences were temporarily cancelled by the courts during trials held for various offences committed by the drivers. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has refuted news reports about the cancellation of all un-updated driving licences.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Transport & Highways Ministry Secretary Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe confirmed that the rumours were false.

He further said that a new system is to be introduced to update information for 2 million licences and the entire process is expected to be completed by year-end.

“The first driving license in Sri Lanka was issued in the 1960s. Since then, approximately 12.3 million licenses have been issued. Licenses from the 1960s do not have an expiry date, allowing them to be used indefinitely without renewal. As a result, the information for about 02 million license holders remains out-dated.

The digitization of all transport sector services is currently underway. Procurement for the digitization of black marks and on-the-spot fines is nearing completion. Starting January 1, 2025, fines and on-the-spot penalties will be managed through this new system, which will require updated information for all driving licenses.

We will soon implement a new method to update the information of nearly 02 million driving license holders who have not yet updated their details. This process will not require new medical records or a visit to the Department of Motor Traffic. We aim to complete this update for all license holders by the end of this year. It is important to note that no new driving licenses will be issued, nor will existing licenses be cancelled. Reports suggesting otherwise are entirely false”

Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe’s clarification comes after the state newspaper, the Daily News, reported that old non-biometric heavy vehicle driver’s licences will be invalidated next year, while drivers can obtain new licences. 

Quoting the Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe, the report further said that 1.1 million old heavy vehicle driver’s licences would be cancelled as part of this process and that those affected would be given time to obtain new licences. 

As per the news report, Nishantha Weerasinghe had also stated that around 1 million light vehicle driver’s licences, which cannot be renewed, will be invalidated soon.

However, the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways has refuted reports in this regard. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) says driving licences for heavy vehicles without an expiration date will be suspended and steps will be taken to commence the issuance of new licences from next year. 

DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anurudda Weerasinghe said sufficient time will be provided to obtain the new licences, adding that the old driving licence and a medical certificate will be sufficient to receive the new licence. 

Weerasinghe said at present, there were 1.1 million heavy vehicle driving licences without an expiration date, while there were 1.2 million such licences for normal vehicles. 

He further said a period of six months will be provided for drivers with licences without expiration dates to obtain the new licence. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic says steps will be taken to provide permanent driving licence cards from September or October this year to motorists currently with temporary driving licences. 

Commissioner General of the Department Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said permanent driving licence cards were unable to be issued due to issues in importing licence cards as a result of the economic crisis.

He further said this resulted in the department issuing temporary licences instead of permanent licence cards to over 800,000 motorists. 

Despite the necessary cards having been imported, normally 900,000 to 1 million driver’s licences should be printed per year as new driver’s licences and renewals, he said. 

Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said, however, as there was a delay in printing, it had resulted in the driver’s licences piling up and not being issued.

The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe made the remarks while addressing the media today. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport is making arrangements to provide on-arrival driving licences to foreigners visiting Sri Lanka, effective from April 15, 2024.

State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna said foreign individuals seeking a driving licence in Sri Lanka will have the convenience of applying for it directly at the airport.

He further said that upon exiting the airport, they will be able to obtain their driver’s licence swiftly and efficiently.

“In collaboration with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, arrangements are being made to issue a driving licence in Sri Lanka for foreigners seeking to have them. They can now apply for it directly at the airport from April 15th,” he explained. 

State Minister Alagiyawanna revealed that all necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate the issuance of the driving licence upon their departure from the airport. 

The fees for obtaining a driving licence are USD 25 for one month, USD 50 for three months, USD 75 for six months, and USD 200 for a year or longer.

State Minister Alagiyawanna made the announcement while addressing a press briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre on Friday (Mar 22). (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka is considering facilitating driver’s licences for foreigners at airports by April, State Minister for Transport Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. 

Addressing the media on Wednesday (Jan 17), the State Minister further said that measures are also being taken to resolve the current challenges in licence issuance by October. 

He said that the commitment extends to replacing temporary licences with permanent ones through expedited one-day services.

State Minister Alagiyawanna also assured that the ongoing issue in the issuance of driver’s licences will be addressed by October, with a shift towards providing permanent licences through a one-day service rather than temporary ones.

He outlined plans to elevate all district offices responsible for issuing driving licences to the status of the Werahera head office by the end of this year.

Elaborating on the transportation initiatives under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s guidance, he emphasized the ministry’s commitment to delivering efficient public transport services through modern technology. He highlighted ongoing programs and the ministry’s efforts to amend the existing Motor Vehicle Act, introducing a new act.

“In the interest of road safety, steps are being taken to streamline the speed limit process to reduce accidents. While alcohol detection is currently operational for drivers, a new initiative targets legal action against drivers under the influence of drugs, implemented nationwide since this year, with an initial phase in the Western and Southern Provinces.

“To enhance driver education and safety, plans include implementing a program to inform drivers about first aid in the event of an accident, with future intentions to incorporate related questions into the driver’s license test. With approximately 8.9 million vehicles and 8.5 million licenced drivers in the country, efforts are underway to standardise all district offices issuing licenses to the level of the Werahera head office by year-end,” he added. (NewsWire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has launched a project to issue driving licences that replace the existing semiconductor chips with QR codes, it was reported.

According to media reports, DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said the project to introduce digital or smart driving licences was launched after receiving Cabinet approval in October. 

Providing further details, Weerasinghe said the printing process commenced on October 16 after the Sri Lanka Army handed over the printing and issuing of driving licences back to the DMT.

A decision was taken to replace the semiconductor chips with a QR code due to difficulties in importing chip reading units as a result of the economic crisis. A separate mobile application has been introduced for the QR codes which will be operated only by the DMT office and the Police Department, he said. 

Weerasinghe added that the demerit points system for traffic offences has also been included in the smart driving licences. (NewsWire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has extended the validity period of selected temporary driving licences.

According to the DMT, the validity period of every temporary driving licence issued during the period from March 03, 2022, to June 30, 2023, has been extended for 2 years.

The said temporary driving licences have been extended for 2 years from the date of expiry. 

Earlier, it was reported that the decision has been taken to address the bulking up of temporary driving licences due to the shortage of printing cards. (NewsWire)

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